PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-13500E vs Xeon Gold 6138 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-13500E vs Xeon Gold 6138: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-13500E

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,377 less on MSRP ($235 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1010.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 102.5 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($235 MSRP vs $2,612 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of LGA3647 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (14,166 vs 15,439).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Gold 6138, which brings 20 cores / 40 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Gold 6138

2017

Why buy it

✅+9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 20 cores / 40 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅140% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-13500E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 102.5 PassMark/$ ($2,612 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA3647 with DDR4, while Core i5-13500E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-13500E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-13500E better than Xeon Gold 6138?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Gold 6138 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-13500E is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6138 is the stronger fit. You are getting 9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-13500E is the better buy right now. Core i5-13500E comes in $2,377 cheaper on MSRP at $235 MSRP versus $2,612 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6138 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 9% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 1010.9% better value on MSRP (102.5 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-13500E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA3647. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-13500E vs Xeon Gold 6138 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-13500E

The Core i5-13500E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 24,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon Gold 6138

The Xeon Gold 6138 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 24,108 points. Launch price was $2,612.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-13500E packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6138 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-13500E versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6138 — a 21.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-13500E (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-13500E uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-13500E scores 24,096 against the Xeon Gold 6138's 24,108 — a 0% lead for the Xeon Gold 6138. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,862 vs 1,261, a 38.5% lead for the Core i5-13500E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,166 vs 15,439 (8.6% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6138). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-13500E vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6138.

Feature	Core i5-13500E	Xeon Gold 6138
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	20 / 40+43%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+24%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+20%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	27.5 MB+15%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	20 MB+1500%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	24,096	24,108
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,216	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,862+48%	1,261
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,166	15,439+9%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-13500E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6138 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-13500E versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6138 — the Core i5-13500E supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6138 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-13500E) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6138). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-13500E) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6138) — the Xeon Gold 6138 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: W680,Q670 (Core i5-13500E) and C621 (Xeon Gold 6138).

Feature	Core i5-13500E	Xeon Gold 6138
Socket	LGA1700	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800+80%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	6+200%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	48+140%

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-13500E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon Gold 6138 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6138 targets Server.

Feature	Core i5-13500E	Xeon Gold 6138
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 770	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-13500E was priced at $235, while the Xeon Gold 6138 came in at $2612. On launch pricing ($235 vs $2612), Core i5-13500E was $2377 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-13500E delivers 102.5 pts/$ vs 9.2 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6138 — making the Core i5-13500E the 167% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-13500E	Xeon Gold 6138
MSRP	$235-91%	$2612
Performance per Dollar	102.5+1014%	9.2
Release Date	2023	2017

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